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A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

BDNF promotes the survival of neuronal populations that are all located either in the central nervous system or directly connected to it. BDNF is a major regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity at adult synapses in many regions of the cns. The versatility of BDNF is emphasized by its contribution to a range of adaptive neuronal responses including long-term potentiation (ltp), long-term depression (ltd), certain forms of short-term synaptic plasticity, as well as homeostatic regulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability.

BMP5 belongs to the bone morphogenetic protein family which is part of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. This superfamily is comprised of large families of growth and differentiation factors. Bone morphogenetic proteins were initially identified by their ability of demineralizing bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site.
BMP5 is an essential signaling molecule within the trabecular meshwork and optic nerve head, and may play a potential role in glaucoma pathogenesis. It was shown that BMP-5 increases the levels of osteopontin, BMP-2, alkaline phosphatase and core binding factor alpha 1 mRNAs in human periodontal (HPL) ligament cells. The BMP5 protein is expressed in normal synovial tissue and reduced in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. BMP5 may have a role in certain cancers given that it is differentially regulated during the formation of different tumors.

Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) belongs to the SFRP family which contains a cysteine-rich domain homologous to the putative Wnt-binding site of Frizzled proteins. SFRPs serve as soluble modulators of Wnt signaling. SFRP4 may serve as a regulator of adult uterine morphology and function. SFRP4 increases apoptosis during ovulation possibly via modulation of FZ1/FZ4/WNT4 signaling. SFRP4 also has phosphaturic effects by specifically inhibiting sodium-dependent phosphate uptake. SFRP4 is expressed in proliferative endometrium and several types of ovarian, endometrial and Brest tumors. SFRP4 is expressed in mesenchymal cells and in cardiomyocytes. SFRP4 expression in ventricular myocardium correlates with apoptosis related gene expression. SFRP4 is up-regulated in failing myocardium.

Obestatin is a hormone that is produced in the cells lining the stomach and small intestine of several mammals including humans; it drastically reduces appetite in mice and is expected to do the same in humans. Obestatin is a peptide hormone - a relatively small protein. It is encoded by the same gene that also encodes ghrelin, a peptide hormone that increases appetite. The protein produced by that gene breaks into two smaller peptides, ghrelin and obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and is involved in regulating growth hormone release. Ghrelin is derived from a preprohormone called preproghrelin, which also generates a second peptide called obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR39 and is involved in satiety and decreased food intake.

Prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) is a main protein component of benign breast gross cysts. PIP is a famous indicator of breast cancer, since it is found in around 50% of all breast cancer specimens. PIP is expressed in exocrine glands, in pathologic conditions, in breast cysts and breast cancers exhibiting apocrine features. PIP and prostate specific antigen are co-expressed in androgen receptor-positive breast tumours.

DDB1-and CUL4-associated factor (DCAF7) is involved in craniofacial development. The DCAF7 protein acts upstream of the EDN1 pathway and is essential for formation of the upper jaw equivalent, the palatoquadrate. The activity necessary for the EDN1 pathway function varies between the first and second arches. DCAF7 associates with DIAPH1 and controls GLI1 transcriptional activity. DCAF7 may be involved in normal and diseased skin development.

KLK7 catalyzes the degradation of intercellular cohesive structures in the cornified layer of the skin in the continuous shedding of cells from the skin surface. Specific for amino acid residues with aromatic side chains in the P1 position. KLK7 cleaves insulin B chain at ''6-Leu- -Cys-7'', ''16-Tyr- -Leu-17'', ''25-Phe- -Tyr-26'' and ''26-Tyr--Thr-27''. KLK7 is involved in the activation of precursors to inflammatory cytokines.

MORF4L2 belongs to the mortality factor (MORF) family of transcriptional regulator which is involved in cell growth, regulation and senescence. MORF4L2 localizes to the nucleus, and it has a protein kinase C phosphorylation site as well as a tyrosine phosphorylation site. MORF4L2 interacts with the Rb tumor suppressor through its helix-loop-helix and leucine zipper regions. Furthermore, MORF4L2 has histone deacetylase activity and can either repress or promote the activity of the B-Myb promoter depending on the tissue.

FAS / CD95 is a 36kDa transmembrane type I receptor, which belongs to the NF/NGF receptor super-family. It is a potent inducer of apoptosis in cells of the immune system upon interaction with its natural ligand, CD95L. Although the CD95/CD95L system could play a role in tumor regression, tumor cells seem to down-regulate CD95 expression as a mechanism of resistance to CD95L-induced killing by T lymphocytes and NK cells. The Fas antigen is expressed on the surface of various cell types, including activated T and B lymphocytes and T lymphoblastoid cell line. CD95 is also expressed in a broad panel of non-transformed cells outside the immune system.

Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 2 (EEF2) which is necessary factor for protein synthesis is a part of the GTP-binding translation elongation factor family. EEF2 catalyzes the GTP-dependent ribosomal translocation step during translation elongation. EEF2 is also catalyzes the coordinated movement of the mRNA as well as the 2 tRNA molecules and conformational changes in the ribosome. EF-2 kinase phosporylation inactivates the EEF2 protein.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets . Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemocinfamily. Human PF4 is used for the proof of induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

FABP6 also called ileal fatty acid binding protein, is part of the small family of highly conserved, cytoplasmic proteins that bind long-chain fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. FABP6 cytosolic protein binds bile acid. FABP6 plays a role in fatty acid uptake, transport, and metabolism. FABP6 stimulates gastric acid and pepsinogen secretion. Seems to be able to bind to bile salts and bilirubins. FABP6 expression is restricted in the small intestine to the ileum where it is involved in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Alternate transcription promoters generate 2 transcript variants, encoding a 128 aa and a 177 aa residue protein. Human FABP6 isoform 2 contains 128 amino acid residues and is acetylated on Ala2. FABP6 binds together fatty acids and bile acids and is directly involved in fatty acid transport and metabolism.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Prolactin is a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized primarily by the pituitary gland but also a variety of other cell types including the placenta, brain and uterus. Prolactin is secreted when eating, nursing, mating, estrogen treatment and during ovulation. Prolactin's primary role is to promote and maintain lactation but also plays a role in breast cancer development, regulation of reproductive function and immunoregulation.

TRAIL Receptor-1 (DR4) and TRAIL Receptor-2(DR5) are members of the TNFR superfamily of transmembrane proteins and contain a cytoplasmic "death domain", which is capable of activating the cell's apoptotic machinery. These receptors are activated by binding to either membrane anchored or soluble TRAIL/Apo2L.

Low affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc region receptor III-A (FCGR3A) is a receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G, and is involved in the elimination of antigen-antibody complexes from the circulation, as well as other antibody-dependent responses. FCGR3A needs to associate with the gamma subunit of Fc epsilon. The FCGR3A receptor is expressed on natural killer (NK) cells as an integral membrane glycoprotein anchored through a transmembrane peptide, while FCGR3B is expressed on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) where the receptor is anchored through a phosphatidylinositol (PI) linkage. In addition, FCGR3A is expressed on macrophages, subpopulation of T-cells, immature thymocytes and placental trophoblasts. FCGR3A mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and other antibody-dependent responses, such as phagocytosis. FCGR3A gene mutations are linked with susceptibility to recurrent viral infections, susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus, and alloimmune neonatal neutropenia.

Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) is a 201 amino acid member of the interleukin-6 superfamily. It was identified by its ability to induce hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes. CT-1 mRNA levels were found both in cardiac myocytes and in cardiac nonmyocytes. CT 1 was also detected in abundance in normal adult human lung and was expressed in both fetal and adult airway smooth muscle cells. CT 1 activates gp130 dependent signaling and stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway to transduce hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals in cardiac myocytes.
CT 1 has also a neurotrophic function. CTF1 deficiency causes increased motoneuron cell death in spinal cord and brainstem nuclei of mice during a period between embryonic day 14 and the first postnatal week. Moreover, CT-1 is a hepatocyte survival factor that efficiently reduces hepatocellular damage in animal models of acute liver injury. Cardiotrophin 1 expression is augmented after hypoxic stimulation and it can protect cardiac cells when added either prior to simulated ischaemia or at the time of reoxygenation following simulated ischaemia. Cardiotrophin 1 can induce expression of the protective heat shock proteins (hsps) in cardiac cells.
Cardiotrophin-1 increased ventricular expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and angiotensinogen mRNA.
Cardiophin 1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure, patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, stable and unstable angina and after acute myocardial infarction.

NF-kappa-B inhibitor-interacting Ras-like protein 1 (NKIRAS1) is a member of the small GTPase superfamily. NKIRAS1 is an unusual Ras-like protein which acts as a potent regulator of NF-kappa-B activity by thwarting the degradation of NF-kappa-B inhibitor beta (NFKBIB) by most signals, describing why NFKBIB is more resistant to degradation. NKIRAS1 functions by blocking phosphorylation of NFKBIB and mediating cytoplasmic retention of p65/RELA NF-kappa-B subunit. Both GTP- and GDP-bound forms block phosphorylation of NFKBIB.

ASF1 Anti-Silencing Function 1 Homolog B (ASF1B) belongs to the H3/H4 family of histone chaperone proteins and is similar to the anti-silencing function-1 protein in yeast. ASF1B is the substrate of the tousled-like kinase family of cell cycle-regulated kinases, and may have a crucial role in modulating the nucleosome structure of chromatin by guaranteeing a regular supply of histones at sites of nucleosome assembly. ASF1B cooperates with CAF-1 (chromatin assembly factor 1) to stimulate replication-dependent chromatin assembly. ASF1B is highly expressed in the testis and at lower levels in colon, small intestine and thymus. ASF1B is necessary for spermatogenesis.

FABP1 (Fatty acid binding protein1) encodes the fatty acid binding protein found in liver. FABP1 is composed of ten antiparallel beta strands that form a barrel with a bigger binding pocket than the other FABPs allowing it to accommodate two fatty acid. This protein binds free fatty acids and their coenzyme A derivatives, bilirubin, and some other small molecules in the cytoplasm; it may be involved in intracellular lipid transport and metabolism.

FABP6 also called ileal fatty acid binding protein, is part of the small family of highly conserved, cytoplasmic proteins that bind long-chain fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. FABP6 cytosolic protein binds bile acid. FABP6 plays a role in fatty acid uptake, transport, and metabolism. FABP6 stimulates gastric acid and pepsinogen secretion. seems to be able to bind to bile salts and bilirubins.
FABP6 expression is restricted in the small intestine to the ileum where it is involved in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Alternate transcription promoters generate 2 transcript variants, encoding a 128 aa and a 177 aa residue protein. Human FABP6 isoform 2 contains 128 amino acid residues and is acetylated on Ala2. FABP6 binds together fatty acids and bile acids and is directly involved in fatty acid transport and metabolism.

Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 5 (Irisin) is a newly discovered hormone, secreted into circulation by muscle, which acts on white adipocytes and promotes WAT “browning”. r-Irisin can reduce body weight and cause induction of brown adipocyte in vivo, including a capacity for thermogenic energy expenditure mediated by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1). Irisin mature protein is comprised of 110 amino acid residues and two potential glycosylation sites. High levels of Irisin can be found in the heart whereas Very low expression is found in the colon, pancreas and spleen, if any.